Sydney [Australia], Dec. 4 : Having snapped its losing streak in Tests by winning against South Africa in Adelaide, Australia will be looking as well to ending its five-match barren run in ODIs when they take on New Zealand in the first of three one day internationals of the Chappell-Hadlee series to be held at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) here today.

The Steve Smith-led side head into the series on the back of the 1-2 Test series loss to South Africa, while the Black Caps arrive fresh from a 2-0 Test sweep against Pakistan.

The trans-Tasman rivals have played each other thrice since Australia's victory in the 2015 World Cup final at the MCG in March 2015, with New Zealand prevailing in the 2015-16 edition of the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy 2-1.

Sydney [Australia], Dec. 3 : Australian skipper Steve Smith has criticised Glenn Maxwell for his comments about Mathew Wade, dubbing them as "very disrespectful" and the mercurial all-rounder has been fined an undisclosed amount by the team leadership group.

Maxwell had earlier this week expressed his disappointment with the fact that he is forced to bat below Wade in this year Victoria's Sheffield Shield side, saying it is" a little bit painful at times."

As captain of Bushrangers, the batting order is Wade's domain and as he is now back in the Test side, Maxwell's future remains decidedly uncertain, despite his fantastic first-class record.

Johannesburg [South Africa], Nov. 14 : Cricket Australia (CA) has come in defence of skipper Steve Smith who has been under fire post the series whitewash in Sri Lanka, followed by defeat against South Africa in the opening Test in Perth, going 0-1 in the three-match series.

The debacle didn't end there as the Aussies came out with a dismal batting performance in the Hobart Test as they were bowled out for 85 on Day One itself within the second session.

But CA chief executive James Sutherland has backed Smith, citing his age and inexperience, and adding that they have full faith in the latter as a leader.

Sydney, Jan 27 : Australia's star batsman Steven Smith has capped off an incredible 2014 by winning his first Allan Border Medal, becoming the youngest winner since Michael Clarke to do so.

The 25-year-old Smith became the youngest winner since a 23-year-old Clarke in 2005, in a year where he scored seven tons and a total of 1,756 runs across all three formats, excluding last week's unbeaten knock of 102 in Hobart.

Smith scored a clean sweep of the top awards, taking out both the Test and One Day Player of the Year awards, News. com. au reported.

Sydney, Jan 08 - Former Australian Test star Doug Walters has insisted that current skipper Steve Smith is almost foolproof and has a great determination, but wants to see more daring from him as a captain.

Smith knock of 117 runs on the second day of the fourth Test against India at the SCG was the skipper's fourth century of the series. The batsman joined Walters, Neil Harvey and Don Bradman on the list of Australians to have achieved the feat.

Smith is also the first man in cricket history to score centuries in his first three Tests as captain, News.com.au reported.

Sydney, December 15 - In the wake of Australian skipper Michael Clarke's injury, Steve Smith has been appointed as the new Australia Test captain for the remaining Test series against India.

Cricket Australia released a statement, saying that Steven Smith had been appointed vice-captain of the Australian Test team effective immediately and would captain the Australian side in the absence of Michael Clarke, News. com. au reported.

The statement further read that current vice-captain Brad Haddin, who led the Australian side on the final day of the Adelaide Test, would serve as Smith's deputy in Brisbane.

Sydney, Dec 10 : Australia cricket team captain Michael Clarke added another ton to his Test figures as he contributed 128 runs to his side's massive total of 517 at the end of the second day of the first Test against India.

The ongoing Test between India and Australia was interrupted thrice due to wet conditions at the Adelaide Oval on the second day when the hosts resumed batting on 354-6 from their previous day's score.

New Delhi, March 22 : After losing eight wickets for 231 runs on the first day of the fourth Test against India Friday, Australia all-rounder Steven Smith said that another 50 runs would be a good enough first innings total here at the Ferozeshah Kotla.

Mohali, March 14 : Australia's young batsman Steve Smith Thursday said he has vastly improved as a player since he was dropped from the team after the Ashes defeat at home 26 months ago.

"I've probably always been more of a batsman than I was a bowler. I think I've improved a lot in the last 12 to 18 months," Smith said here.

The 23-year-old was set to make his sixth Test appearance at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium here Thursday, but rain played spoil sport as the first day's play was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Smith said he made a couple of changes to his technique that made him more stable.

Steven Smith, leg-spinning Australian all-rounder has admitted that his national ODI debut is all due to the advice he received from former leg-spinning great Shane Warne.

While Australia''s main spinner, Nathan Hauritz, rests Smith will make a keenly anticipated one-day international debut against the West Indies at the MCG today. Soon afterwards, he will depart with the Twenty20 team to New Zealand, his maiden international tour.

A break is what Australian spinner Nathan Hauritz needed after the fantastic long summer season. Steve Smith has been sent in as his replacement, who earlier made his debut against Pakistan in a T-20 international at the MCG. The spinner has been rewarded for playing some important part for NSW and also bowled well in the lone T-20 match that he has played.